Iraqi Govt Sues KRG To Force Closure Of Displaced Camps

(Rudaw)

The Sudani government is pursuing the same policy as the last four prime ministers when it comes to Iraq’s internal refugees. That is to close down displacement camps, force everyone out and claim victory.

 

At the end of March Baghdad took its latest step towards fulfilling this strategy by suing the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to force it to close its displaced (IDPs) camps. There are more than 630,000 IDPs in the region.

 

The KRG has been told to shut down the camps before but refused which led to the lawsuit.

 

The central government claims that it has a plan to assist displaced but it doesn’t. Deputy Minister of Displacement Karim al-Nouri for instance said in February that there would be jobs, money and transportation for people after the camps were shut. In November however when some IDPs were forced out in the KRG they were given nothing. That’s because Baghdad has no real strategy for them and the Displacement Ministry lacks resources.

 

The truth of the matter is that Baghdad cares nothing for the displaced. It just wants to claim a political success when the last IDP camp is shuttered.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Rafidain, “Government Authorities Impose Forced Returns On Displaced People In Camps In Northern Iraq,” 11/22/23

 

Rudaw, “Baghdad takes KRG to court over closing IDP camps,” 3/29/24

 

Xinhua, “Iraq launches plan to encourage displaced people in Kurdistan to return home,” 2/28/24